NEW ORLEANS -- Lipscomb climbed two spots in the South Region to No. 5 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) regional rankings which were released Monday.

The Lady Bisons moved ahead of Alabama and Mississippi State. The Lady Bison placed first of five at the FGCU Invitational and seventh of eight at the Belmont Opener against SEC opponents in the opening week of meets.

The top four teams in the South Region are Florida State, Vanderbilt, Florida and Georgia.

"It's always nice to get recognition for our program and for Lipscomb University,” Lipscomb cross country coach Bill Taylor said. “This is our highest ranking ever, and is a small statement about our continued progress into a nationally elite NCAA I program.

“Rankings mean very little to us beyond that though. Our girls and our coaches don't care where we are ranked. They know that whatever they get they will earn with their legs and hearts."

North Florida also made the USTFCCCA regional rankings in the South Region at No. 11.